Air conditioning system



Skept. 8, 1936. c. P. ERSCHEN ET A1.

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Filed March 26, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 smk. E* nur Sept 8, 1936- c. P. ERSCHEN E1- AL 2,053,771

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTE M 1iled March 26, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 8, 1936 rff-NiTED STA-TES PATENT FFICE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM Application March 26,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to air conditioning systems and is a continuation as to all common subject matter of our application for Letters Patent for Heating and cooling system, Serial No. 544,910, led June 16, 1931.

In its present embodiment, the invention refers more particularly to air conditioning equipment particularly intended for residence use, as distinguished from large commercial installations, although it. is to be understood that the invention is susceptible to such use.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an air conditioning system of the character described, which provides positively controlled regulation of temperature, humidity, purity and motion of the air.

A further object of this invention is to provide an air conditioning system capable of rendering this service the year round and entirely automatically.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly dened by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, We have illustrated one complete example of the physical embcdiments of our invention constructed according to the best modes we have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a wiring diagram of the system; and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic yview to illustrate particularly the manner in which the various control panels are actually hooked up.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts, the letters A and B designate control equipment panels mounted within a suitable housing located generally in the basement of the home or in juxtaposition to the central conditioning unit, and the letter C represents a temperature and humidity control unit which is mounted on a wall of one of the rooms of the building and contains thermostats and humidistats by which all of the functions of the system are governed.

rIhe panels A and B and control unit C are electrically connected by wires, as illustrated in Figure 2, and as a matter of convenience in installatiomthe terminals of the panels and the control unit are correspondingly numbered. The

1934, Serial N0.` 117,326

terminals of the control panels A and B besides being connected to the various mechanisms of the apparatus are also electrically connected with the external elements of the system, an automatic firing or heating device I0, and a cooling unit in the form of any direct expansion type compressor or mechanical refrigerator or iced water supply D.

lThe electrical circuits, without restriction to the actual wiring, are shown in Figure 1, and reference is had to this diagram in the following description:

The temperature and humidity control panel C includes a heating thermostat 80, a humidistat 8|, a dehumidistat 82, a cooling thermostat 84, and an auxiliary heating thermostat 85. The cooling and auxiliary heating thermostats may be combined in one unit if desired, but for convenience in description, they have been shown as separate elements, connected mechanically, however, so that if one is closed, the other will be held open.

-The panel A mounts two electromagnetic switches 86 and 81, having electromagnets 88 and 89 respectively to eiect their closure. The switch 86 has two switch contactors 90 and 9| and the switch 81 has two switch vcontactors 92 and 93.

The panel B mounted alongside the panel A mounts an electromagnetic switch 94 actuated by an electromagnet 95. This switch has three movable switch contactors 96, 91 and 98, all .simultaneouslyv closed upon energization of the electromagnet 95. The electromagnetic switch 94 functions only in conjunction with the dehumidistat, the cooling thermostat and the auxiliary heating thermostat.

Electrical energy may be supplied to the system from lines L1 and L2 connected through a Vmaster switch 99 to lines |00 and |0| respectively.

'I 'hese supply lines |00 and I 0| lead to the primary of a step-down transformer |02. The line |0| also connects with one side of the power means of the cooling unit D, as at |03, to one side of a motor 42 which drives the usual blower of the system, as at |04 and to one side of the heating device I0, as at |05.

The cooling unit D is connected across the lines |0| and |00 upon the closure of the switch 94, specifically by the closure of the contactor 98, one side of which is connected to the line |00 through conductor |06 and the other side of which connects through conductor |01 with the cooling unit.

The blower motor 42 is connected across the lines |00 and |0| by the closure of the electromagnetic switch 81 and specically the closure of the switch contactor 92, one side of which is connected to line |00 through conductor 908 and the other side of which is connected to the motor through conductor |09.

The heating device I0 is similarly connected across the lines |00 and |0I, but by the closure of the electromagnetic switch 86 and specifically its switch contactor 90, one side of which is shown directly connected to the line |00, and the other side of which is connected through conductor I I0 to the heating device.

The heating thermostat may be set for winter temperature control within any desired two degree temperature range. When the temperature in the building drops to a point below that for which the heating thermostat 80 is set, it closes a circuit which initiates the functioning of the heating device through the closure of the electromagnetic switch 88 as follows:

The contactor of the heating thermostat is connected to one side of the secondary of the transformer |02 to be supplied with current therefrom through a conductor and line H2. The stationary contact of the thermostat 80 is connected through conductors I I3 and 4 to one side of the electromagnet 88. The other side of the electromagnet 88 is directly connected to line I I 5, which leads back to the other side of the secondary of transformer |02. Consequently, upon closure of the heating thermostat 80, current traverses the electromagnet 88 energizing the same, and closing the electromagnetic switch 88.

Closure of the switch 86 immediately initiates the functioning of the heating device I0 by reason of the closure of its switch contactor 90. The contactor 9| is also closed, but its closure is ineffective until the closing of a heater temperature switch .I I6 having its temperature responsive element located adjacent the heat exchanger supplied or fed from the heating device.

Upon closure of the heater temperature switch I6, an air washer valve 10 opens to supply water to the spray nozzles of the system. For this purpose, one side of the switch contactor 9| is directly connected to the line I2 and its other side is connected through conductor ||1 to the stationary contactor of switch IIB. The movable contacter of switch I6 is connected through conductors ||8 and I|9 to one side of the electrical actuating device- |20 of the water valve 10. The other side of the actuating device is connected through conductor I2| to the line H5. Consequently, upon closure of the switch IIS (switch contactor 9| being closed), the actuating device |20 becomes operative and opens the air washer valve 10.

The opening of the valve 10 to full capacity activates a time delay switch |22, which upon closure, effects the closing of electromagnetic heating device; an air washer having a control side of the time delay switch |22 is connected to the line ||5 through part of conductor I2I, and a conductor |23. The other side of the switch |22 is connected through a conductor |24 to one side of the electromagnet 89 of switch 81. The other side of electromagnet 89 is connected through conductor |25 to conductor H8, which leads to the contactor of switch I6. Passing through the closed switch I I8, conductor I I1,

and closed switch contactor 9|, the circuit for the electromagnet 89 is completed to the line H2, which leads back to the secondary of the step-down transformer |02.

'Upon energization of the electromagnet 89, the switch 81 closes and immediately starts the blower motor 02 by reason of the closure of its switch contactor 92. Simultaneous with the closure of the switch contactor 92, the switch 93 also closes. 'I'his switch initiates the opening of a water valve 89 controlling the supply of water to the humidifier of the system but only in the event the humidistat 8| is calling for increased humidity. For this purpose, one side of the switchcontactor 93 is connected to line ||5 through conductor |25 and the other side thereof is connected to the electrical actuating device |21 of the valve 89 through conductor |28. The other side of the actuating device |21 is connected through conductor |29 to the contactor of the humidistat 8|. The stationary contact of the humidistatl 8| is connected through the conductor H3 to the contact of the heating thermostat 80, which, being closed and being connected through conductor with the line ||2, completes the circuit for the actuator |21.

In this connection, it is to be noted that the circuit controlling the operation of the humidier for winter humidity control, can be cornpleted only when the heating device is in operation and when the temperature at the heat eX- changer is suiciently high to evaporate all of the moisture created by the humidifier.

Obviously, when the degree of humidity to which the humidistat is set, has been reached, the humidistat 8| opens the circuit for the actuator |21 and the valve 69 closes.- In the event the required temperature has been attained before the humidity is brought to the set degree, the opening of the heating thermostat 80 will shut down the operation of the humidifier as well as that of the heating device and air washer.

For summer ventilation and air cleaning and cooling, the cooling thermostat 04 may be set to the desired temperature range, and when the temperature rises beyond this setting, the circuits controlling the functioning of the cooling unit D, the air washer sprays, and the blower motor 42 are completed, so that washed and cooled air will be circulated through the duct system to all parts of the building.

This control is obtained as follows: The contactor of the cooling thermostat 84 is connected through conductor |30 to the line ||2. Its stationary contact is connected through a conductor |3I to one side of the electromagnet 95 of the i electromagnetic switch 94. The other side of the electromagnet is directly connected through conductor |32 to the line H5. Consequently, upon closure of the cooling thermostat 84, the switch 94 closes, closing all of its contactors 96', 91 and 98.

Immediately upon the closure 'of the switch contactor 98, the coolingV unit D is set in operation, and upon the closure of the switch contactor 91, the water valve 10 is opened. For this purpose, switch contactor 91 is connected to line H2, through conductor |33 and through conduc-V tors H8 and ||9 to one side of the actuator |20; the other side of the actuator |20 being connected to the line ||5 through conductor I2I. As before, complete closure of the valve 10 activates the time delay switch |22, which in turn, closes the electromagnetic switch 81 to start the blower motor 42.

While the switch contactor 96 of switch 94 is also closed, the closure thereof is ineiective as it functions only in conjunction with the auxiliary heating thermostat 85.

By reason of the operation of the cooling unit D, a suitable cooling medium is circulated through its evaporator coil to lower the temperature of the air passed therethrough and into the circulation system. Obviously, the control will function in this manner to reduce the temperature of the air until the cooling thermostat again opens when the system becomes inoperative.

Positive automatic summer temperature and humidity control is also provided, the control of these functions being governed by the dehumidistat 82 and the auxiliary heating thermostat 85.

It is to be noted that the dehumidistat 82 and the cooling thermostat 84 are connected in parallel so that when either the temperature or humidity rises beyond the setting of these controls, the resulting closure of either one initiates the functioning of the cooling unit, the air washer and the blower as just described; and being so connected between the conductor I3| and the line H2, by a conductor |3`4, the manner in which the closure of the dehumidistat 82 eifects this function is readily apparent.

In the event the desired temperature drop is accomplished more quickly than the reduction of humidity during this cycle of operation, the auxiliary heating thermostat 85 initiates the operation of the heating device I0, to cause a small amount of the heating fiuid to iiow to the heat exchanger, tempering the air in the building to a point just above that for which the cooling thermostat is set.

The manner in which the auxiliary heating thermostat 85 initiates the functioning of the heating device I0 is as follows:

Upon closure of the auxiliary heating thermostat 85, current flows from line |I2 through conductor |30 to the auxiliary heating thermostat, through conductor |35 to switch contactor 95, and then through conductor H4 to one side of electromagnet 88 of switch 88. The other side of the electromagnet 88 being connected directly to the line H5, the same will be immediately energized to close the switch 86. Closure of the switch 86 starts the heating device l0 in the manner hereinbefore brought out.

When the atmospheric conditions are such that there is no requirement for operation of the refrigerator equipment for cooling purposes, but where a reduction of humidity is necessary, the dehumidistat 82 will set in operation the refrigeration equipment to effect the necessary dehumidification and the auxiliary heating thermostat 85 will intermittently operate the firing device to maintain temperature.

Since the auxiliary heating thermostat is connected into the control system so that it can only operate the firing device when the dehumidistat is calling for a reduction of humidity, there can be no interference between the auxiliary heating thermostat 85 and the regular heating thermostat during winter operation.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those`skilled in the art, that this invention provides a novel air conditioning system, particularly adaptable for residence purposes, although not limited thereto, and that the functioningof the entire system is completely automatic, requiring no manual attention whatever, except the usual adjustment of the room thermostats and humidistats.

What we claim as our invention is:

l. In an air conditioning system for buildings having heating and cooling means to determine the temperature of the air, means to determine the humidity' of the air, and means to move the air; an electrical control system to regulate the functioning of said aforementioned means comprising electro-responsive means associated with each of said aforementioned means to initiate the operation thereof; a control unit located within one of the rooms of the building to be subjected to the atmospheric conditions therein and having a heating thermostat to control the response of the electro-responsive means initiating the functioning ofthe heating means during cold weather, an auxiliary heating thermostat to control the response of said electro-responsive means initiating the functioning of the heating means during warm weather, a cooling thermostat to control the functioning of thev electro-responsive means to initiate the functioning of the cooling means, a dehumidistat also operable to control the response of said electro-responsive means to initiate the functioning of the cooling means, and a humidistat operable to control the response of the electro-responsive means to initiate the operation of the humidifying means; and electric circuit means to connect the various elements of the control unit with said electro-responsive means, said circuit means so connecting the various elements that the auxiliary heating thermostat is eiective to initiate the functioning of the heating means only when the dehumidistat is operative and calling for dehumidification of the air, whereby interference between the control of the heating means by the heating thermostat for cold weather and the auxiliary heating thermostat for warmA circuit to connect the thermostat of the control unit with said electro-responsive means of the heating means, whereby closure of the thermostat in response to a temperature drop below a predetermined degree causes the response of said electro-responsive means and initiates the functioning of the heating means; electric circuit means operable upon the response of said electroresponsive means initiating the functioning of the heating means to cause said electro-responsive means for the air washing means and the air moving means to respond; and means in said circuit means to delay the response of the electroresponsive means initiating the functioning of the air moving means until the air washing means is in operation.

3. In an air conditioning system having means to heat the air, means to wash the air, and means to induce air flow; an electrical control system to regulate the functioning of said aforementioned means including a control unit so located as to be aiected by the atmospheric condition of the air to be treated, and having a thermostat; individual electro-responsive means to initiate the functioning of the heating means, the air washing means, and the air moving means; an electric circuit to connect the thermostat of the control unit with said electro-responsive means of the heating means, whereby closure of the thermostat in response to a temperature drop below a predetermined degree causes the response of said electro-responsive means and initiates the functioning of the heating means; electric circuit means operable upon the response of said electro-responsive means initiating the functioning of the heating means to cause said electro-responsive means for the air washing means and the air moving means to respond; means in said circuit means to delay the response of the electroresponsive means initiating the functioning of the air moving means until the air washing means is in operation; and means in said electric circuit means to delay the response of the electroresponsive means initiating the functioning of the air washing means and the air moving means until a predetermined temperature has been attained at a predetermined portion of the system.

4. In an air conditioning system including a heating device, an air washer having a control valve and an air blower operated by an electric motor; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system comprising, a control unit so located as to be responsive to the atmospheric conditions of the air being treated and having a thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air drops below a predetermined degree; a rst electro-magnetic switch adapted when energized to initiate the operation of the heating device; a second electromagnetic switch adapted when energized to initiate the operation of the blower motor; electro-responsive means adapted when energized to open the control valve of the air washer; a, source of E. M. F., a circuit to energize the rst electromagnetic switch upon closure of the thermostat, and thereby initiate the operation of the heating device; electric circuit means controlled by the first electromagnetic switch to energize the second electromagnetic switch and the electro-responsive means of the air washer; and means to delay the energization of the second electromagnetic switch until the control valve of the air washer has been completely opened by its electro-responsive means.

5. In an air conditioning system including a heating device, an air washer having a control valve and an air blower operated by an electric motor; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system comprising, a control unit so located as to be responsive to the atmospheric conditions of the air being treated and having a thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air drops below a predetermined degree; a, rst'electromagnetic switch adapted when energized to initiate the operation of the heating device; a second electromagnetic switch adapted when energized to initiate the operation of the blower motor; electro-responsive means adapted when energized to open the control valve of the air washer; a source of E. M. F.; a circuit to energize the rst electromagnetic switch upon closure of the thermostat, and thereby initiate the operation of the heating device; electric circuit means controlled by the rst electromagnetic switch to energize the second electromagnetic switch and the .electro-responsive means of the air washer; and means to delay the energization of the second electromagnetic switch until the control valve of the air Washer has been completely opened by its electro-responsive means, and thermally responsive means to delay the energization of the electro-responsive means controlling the opening of the air washer control valve until a predetermined temperature has been attained at a selected portion of the system.

6. In an air conditioning system including a heating device; an Yair washer having a control valve; a humidifier having a. control valve, and

an air blower operated by an electric motor; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system comprising, a control unit so located as to be responsive to the atmospheric conditions of the air being treated, and having a thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air drops below a predetermined degree. and a humidistat which closes when the humidity of the air drops below a predetermined degree; a iirst electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the heating device; a second electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the blower motor; electro-responsive means adapted, when energized, to open the control valve of the air washer; electro-responsive means adapted, when energized, to open the control valve of the humidifier; a source of E. M. F.; a circuit adapted to be closed by the thermostat to energize the rst electromagnetic switch and thereby initiate the operation of the heating device; electric circuit means controlled by the first electro-magnetic switch to energize the second electromagnetic switch and the electro-responsive means of the air washer; means to delay the energization of the second elec tromagnetic switch until the control valve of the air washer has been completely opened by its electro-responsive means; and electric circuit means governed by the humidistat and adapted to energize the electro-responsive means of the humidiiier to initiate the operation of the humidiiier when humidication is necessary; said last designated circuit means including a switch which closes with the energization of the second electromagnetic switch, whereby operation of the humidier is possible only when the heating means and air washer are in operation.

7. In an air conditioning system including a heating device, a humidifier having a control valve and an air blower operated by an electric motor; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system comprising, a control unit so located as to be responsive to the atmospheric conditions of the air being treated and having a thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air drops below a predetermined degree, and a humidistat which closes when the humidity or the air drops below a predetermined degree; a rst electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the heating device; a second electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the blower motor; electro-responsive means adapted, when energized, to open the control valve of the humidifier; a source of E. M. F.; a circuit governed by the thermostat to energize the rst electromagnetic switch and thereby initiate the operation of the heating device; electric circuit means controlled by the rst electromagnetic switch to energize the second electromagnetic switch; another circuit means governed by the humidistat to energize the electro-responsive means of the control valve for the humidier, and a switch in said other circuit means connected with the second electromagnetic switch so as to be closed only when said second electromagnetic switch is closed and the blower motor is in operation, whereby the humidifier can function only when the heating device and blower motor are in operation.

8. In an air conditioning system including a heating device, a humidifier having a control valve and an air blower operated by an electric motor; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system comprising, a control unit so located as to be responsive to the atmospheric conditions of the air being treated and having a thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air drops below a predetermined degree, and a humidistat which closes when the humidity of the air drops below a predetermined degree; a first electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the heating device; a second electromagneticswi'tch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the blower motor; electro-responsive means adapted, when energized, to open the control valve of the humidier; a source of E. M. F.; a circuit governed by the thermostat to energize the rst electromagnetic switch and thereby initiate the operation of the heating device; electric circuit means controlled by the first electromagnetic switch to energize the second electro-magnetic switch; another circuit means governed by the humidistat to energize the electro-responsive means of the control valve for the humidifier, a switch in said other circuit means connected with the second electromagnetic switch so as to be closed only when said second electromagnetic switch is closed and the blower motor is in operation, whereby the humidifier can function only when the heating device and blower motor are in operation; and

thermal means to delay the energization of the second electromagnetic switch until a predetermined temperature has been attained at aselected portion of the system, whereby the blower motor and the humidifier remain inoperative until said predetermined temperature has been attained at said selected portion of the system.

9. In an air conditioning system including a heating device, a humidifier having a control valve, cooling and dehumidifying means, and an air blower operated by an electric motor; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system, comprising a control unit so located as to be responsive to the atmospheric conditions of the air being treated and having a thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air drops below a predetermined degree, a humidistat which closes when the humidity of the air drops below a predetermined degree,'a dehumidistat which closes when the humidity of the air exceeds a predetermined degree, a cooling thermostat which closes when the temperature of the air exceeds a predetermined degree and an auxiliary heating thermostat which closes when the temperature drops below a predetermined degree; a rst electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the heating device; a second electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the blower motor; a third electromagnetic switch adapted, when energized, to initiate the operation of the cooling and dehumidifying means; electroresponsive means adapted when energized to open the control valve of the humidier; a source of E. M. F.; a circuit governed by the thermostat to energize the rst electromagnetic switch and thereby initiate the operation of the heating device; a thermally responsive switch which closes upon the attainment of a predetermined temperature at a selected portion of the system; a second electric circuit including said thermally responsive switch, and controlled by the rst magnetic switch to energize the second electromagnetic switch and thereby initiate the operation of the blower motor; electric circuit means governed by the humidistat and including the electro-responsive means of the humidifier and operable upon closure of the second electromagnetic switch to energize said electro-responsive means and activate the humidifier in the event the humidistat is closed; a third electric circuit to energize the third electromagnetic switch upon closure of either the dehumidistat or the cooling thermostat to initiatethe operation of the cooling and dehumidifying means; and another electric circuit means including the auxiliary heating thermostat and a switch closed' with the closure of the third electromagnetic switch to energize the rst electromagnetic switch and initiate the functioning of the heating device; the cooling and auxiliary heating thermostats being so interconnected that when one is open, the other is closed, whereby operation of the heating device in response to the auxiliary heating thermostat is possible only when the dehumidistat is closed to maintain the third electromagnetic switch closed.

10. In an air conditioning system, including a heating device and cooling and dehumidifying means; an electrical control to regulate the functioning of the system comprising, electro-responsive means to initiate the operation of the heating device; electro-responsive means to initiate the operation of the cooling and dehumidifying means; a thermostat; an electric circuit governed by the thermostat to energize the rst mentioned electro-responsive means to initiate the operation of the heating device; another electrical circuit to energize the second mentioned electro-responsive means and initiate the operation of the cooling and dehumidifying means; a dehumidistat and a cooling thermostat connected in parallel in said other circuit so that closure of either the dehumidistat or the cooling thermostat completes said other circuit; and an auxiliary heating thermostat operable to close the first mentioned circuit and energize the iirst mentioned electro-responsive means to initiate the operation of the heating device; said auxiliary heating thermostat being connected with the cooling thermostat, so that only one or the other can be closed at one time, and whereby closure of the auxiliary heating thermostat is ineffective except when the dehumidistat is closed.

CHARLES P. ERSCHEN. RICHARD C. J EPERTINGER. 

